ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Cabinet
Cabinet approves establishment of a Regional Office of the Universal Postal Union  in New Delhi, India by entering into an Agreement with UPU
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved to establish a Regional Office of the Universal Postal Union  in New Delhi, India to undertake UPU’s development cooperation and technical assistance activities in the region by entering into an agreement with UPU.
The approval enables India to play active role at multilateral organizations in postal sector with emphasis on South-South and Triangular cooperation. India will provide a Field Project Expert, staff and office set up for UPU’s regional office. Projects on capacity building and trainings, improving efficiency and quality of postal services, enhancement of Postal technology, e-commerce and trade promotion etc will be prepared and implemented for the region by this office in coordination with UPU.
The initiative would help expanding India’s diplomatic footprint and strengthen relations with other countries, specially in Asia-Pacific region and will enhance India’s presence at the global postal forums.
Ministry of Mines
Efforts to Attract Private Sector into Mineral Exploration
The Ministry of Mines has constituted a seven-member committee under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary, Ministry of Mines vide order No. 11/1/2022-IC dated 01.11.2022 to identify the list of minerals critical to our country.
The committee has submitted its report of recommended a total 30 minerals as critical for India. Based on the inputs, Government has released the list of 30 critical minerals for India. These minerals are Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, PGE, Phosphorous, Potash, REE, Rhenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium, Selenium and Cadmium.
The Central Government has taken several steps to incentivize private sector participation in mineral exploration. Accredited private exploration agencies which have been notified under the second proviso to Section 4 of the MMDR Act have been allowed to carryout exploration without prospecting licence. These agencies have also been made eligible for obtaining funding under National Mineral Exploration Trust . So far, a total of 14 private agencies have been notified by Central Government under Section 4 of MMDR Act. These agencies are in the process of taking up 11 numbers of exploration projects from the NMET fund. Besides, any person can submit a proposal to the State Government for notification of an area for auction of composite licence. Also, incentives such as Partial Reimbursement of Exploration Expenses from NMET for holders of Composite Licenses  for certain deep-seated and critical mineral commodities have been introduced for encouraging private participation in mineral exploration.
This information was given by Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Shuttler N Sikki Reddy and physiotherapist Kiran C test Covid positive in Hyderabad
Shuttler N Sikki Reddy and physiotherapist Kiran C, who arrived at the National badminton camp at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, have tested Covid postive. This came to light after they took SAI's mandatory Covid test that is given to all players, coaches and support staff on arrival.
Both Sikki and Kiran are aysmptomatic. Both are locals of Hyderabad and have been attending the camps from their homes. Meanwhile, the academy has been closed down for sanitisation. All primary contacts of Sikki and Kiran have been traced and are being given the RT PCR test again.
Speaking from Hyderabad, chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand said, "SAI's mandatory covid test was given to all athletes, coaches, support staff and administrative staff at the badminton national camp, and two campers have tested positive for Covid 19. All necessary precautions as per protocol are being taken so that players can come back for training safely and as soon as possible."
PIB Headquarters
Pensioner’s meet for quick redressal of grievances
The first monthly meeting of pensioners or family pensioners of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute , Central Institute of Fisheries Technology  and Central Tuber Crops Research Institute  will be held at CMFRI at 10.30 am on October 22, for a prompt and quick redressal of pensioner’s grievances.
Officials from the concerned institutes, PPO issuing branch and senior official of the bank concerned will be present at the meeting. Pensioners and family pensioners or their representatives of the respective institutes may plead their cases of grievances, if any, for effective redressal and to take possible necessary action at the level of the institute and bank.
(Visitor Counter : 10
Ministry of Power
CPSU under Power Ministry NHPC raises Rs 750 crore at coupon of 6.80% P.A.
NHPC Limited  has raised Rs 750 crore today through private placement of bonds at very competitive interest rate of 6.80% p.a. for a loan tenure of 10 years. The company has said that thee issue structure consists base size of Rs.500 crore with Green Shoe option of Rs.250 crore.
It has also said that the issue was taken very overwhelmingly by the market and oversubscribed 3.87 times i.e. for Rs.2899 crore amid Covid-19 outbreak. The coupon rate of 6.80% is the lowest in the current fiscal and lower by 30 bps or 0.30% than the prevailing AAA rated 10 years Bonds at 7.10%. NHPC carries highest credit credentials and rated AAA by leading Rating Agencies.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Myanmar in the field of health research
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding  signed between Indian Council of Medical Research , India and the Department of Medical Research , Ministry of Health and Sports of Myanmar signed oin February, 2020 at New Delhi.
The objective of this MoU is to build on the health research relationship in the topics of mutual research. The main objectives are:
- Elimination of infectious diseases 
- Development of network platform of emerging and viral infections
- Training /capacity building in research methodology management, clinical trials, ethics etc.
- Harmonization of regulatory mechanism
Commitment of funds for workshops/meetings and research projects will be decided from time to time as per the funds available at that time. The Parties shall establish a Joint Working Group  consisting of delegates from each organization. JWG sessions shall be held alternatively in India and in Myanmar. The expenses related to travel, including visa entry, accommodation, per diem, health insurance, local transportation of its JWG members, shall be borne by the Sending Party whereas the organizational expenses of the JWG meetings shall be borne by the Host Party.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
NFDC invites applications for Production/Co-production of Feature Films
National Film Development Corporation Limited  under the scheme of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting , titled ‘Production of films in various Indian languages’ has announced call for applications for funding of feature films. Interested applicants can apply by visiting the official website https://nfdcindia.com/apply-now/ and referring to the Production Guidelines to fulfill all application requirements.
It is mandatory to send the complete application in hard copy to the Mumbai office of National Film Development Corporation, 6th Floor, Discovery of India Building, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai – 400 018, in addition to the above you may also send your application to our Regional Office in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and our branch office in Thiruvananthapuram by visiting https://www.nfdcindia.com/contact-us/ for the postal addresses. You can also call in case of urgent queries on 022 66288 288.
The application will remain open until 31st January 2022. For further queries please write to filmproduction@nfdcindia.com.
(Visitor Counter : 79
NITI Aayog
Anju Bist of Kollam and Aardra Chandra Mouli of Thiruvananthapuram honoured as Women Transforming India by the NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog Organizes Fifth Edition of Women Transforming India Awards
75 Women honored in the 75th year of India’s Independence
Anju Bist of Amrita SeRVe  and Aardra Chandra Mouli of Aeka Biochemicals Pvt. Ltd. From Kerala are among the 75 women honoured as Women Transforming India by the NITI Aayog.
Women have consistently been playing a key role in transforming India into a ‘Sashakt Aur Samarth Bharat’. In recognition of the remarkable achievements of these women across diverse sectors NITI Aayog has instituted Women Transforming India Awards.
This year, as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate 75 years of India’s independence, the WTI Awards were conferred on 75 women achievers. Click here to know more about the other awardees.
- Anju Bist, Kollam
Amrita SeRVe 
Anju Bist and her team are the first in the world to make reusable menstrual pads from banana fiber, which comes from agro-waste. Saukhyam Reusable Pads have won multiple awards and are sold internationally. Their vision is that the same high-quality pad they export should be made available at very affordable prices in rural areas of India. To date, they have sold and distributed over 500,000 pads, helping prevent the emission of over 2000 tons of CO2 equivalent annually. This has also helped eliminate an estimated 43,750 tons of non-biodegradable menstrual waste.
Amrita SeRVe is providing high quality affordable menstrual pads made of banana fibre to women and girls everywhere.
- Aardra Chandra Mouli, Thiruvananthapuram
Aeka Biochemicals Pvt. Ltd.
Aardra is a biotech engineer, entrepreneur and an entrepreneurship researcher. She is the founder and Managing Director of Aeka Biochemicals Pvt. Ltd., the first fully women-owned environmental biotech company in India. She is passionate about making science and entrepreneurship accessible to all those interested in these fields, especially women.
Aardra holds an MRes in management from UCL, an MSc in management from Warwick Business School, and a Bachelors in biotechnology and biochemical engineering from the University of Kerala.
Aeka Biochemicals is helping to incorporate green user friendly options which are effective,
and have a focus on urban cultivation, water treatment, recycling, remediation or waste
management. A significant contribution towards reducing “human footprints” on Earth.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Open Acreage Licensing Programme Bid Round-IV to be launched tomorrow
The Government has implemented plethora of reforms in the past five years in the E&P sector. The Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy  replacing the erstwhile New Exploration Licensing Policy  was approved in March 2016 and the Open Acreage Licensing Programme  along with the National Data Repository  were launched in June 2017 as the key drivers to accelerate the Exploration and Production  activities in India. Government under three  OALPRounds have already awarded Eighty-Seven  Blocks covering an area of 1,18,280 Sq. Kmwith leading E&P companies.
In continuation to its determination for reduction in import dependency of oil and gas and accelerating E&P activities, the Government notified further policy reforms in upstream sector on 28th February, 2019 to increase exploration activities, attract domestic and foreign investment in unexplored/unallocated areas of sedimentary basins and promote ease of doing business by streamlining and expediting the approval processes.
The Government has now launched the Bid Round-IVfor International Competitive Bidding from27th August, 2019which will be carried out under the revised policy framework. In this bid round,7 blocks, with an area of approximately 18,500 sq. km., are being offered for bidding to the investor community. All seven  blocks are based on Expressions of Interest submitted by the bidders.
Salient features of Policy Reforms cover Category Specific Bid evaluation criteria with more weightage to exploratory work programme, Category-II and III type blocks will be bided based on exploratory work programme only, shorter exploration period, concessional royalty rates to expedite oil and gas production and introduction of alternate dispute resolution mechanism.
The exploration acreage of India has been enhanced from 90,000 square kilometers in 2017 to 2,10,000 sq. km after successful completion of three OALP rounds under HELP and is expected to rise with upcoming bidding rounds. To further increase exploration acreage of India, Government has increased EoI cycles from two  to three  in a year with the revised dates of April 1 to July 31, August 1 to November 30 and December 1 to March 31.
With the releaseof Notice Inviting Offer , bidders can study the data available in National Data Repository  and select blocks for the bidding. The bidders would be able to submit their bids through an online e-bidding portal starting27th August 2019 and the bidding round would continue till1200 hrs. 31st October2019.The blocks are spread across 3sedimentary basins;7Onland blocks are on offer under OALP-IV whichincludes 6 blocksin Category-II and III Basins and 1 block in Category-I Basin. It is expected that OALP Round IV would generate immediate exploration work commitment of around USD 200-250 million.
The 5thcycle of submitting Expressions of Interest  is currently going on till November30, 2019 and would be followed by the 6th cyclefrom December 1, 2019 till March 31, 2020.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 433
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 182.51 Crore
More than 26 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
More than 88 lakh Vaccine Doses administered to 12-14 age group so far
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 182.51 Crore  today. More than 26 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. More than 88 lakh  vaccine doses have been administered to 12-14 years age group so far. More than 2.22 Crore  Precaution Doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries  for COVID vaccination have been administered so far. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10403322
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9994392
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4397763
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18412536
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17496571
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6744473
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
8813578
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
56595734
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
36594088
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
554089451
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
461982027
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
202657998
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
184381489
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
126674758
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
114847201
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
11114260
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
977647377
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
825295768
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
22256496
|
|
Total
|
|
1825199641
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 24th March, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
42
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
874
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
8986
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
66
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1820
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
23286
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1477759
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
86696
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
205957
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
60364
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
483606
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
8824
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
114327
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
6368
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
72916
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
98446
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
1640119
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
879500
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
130718
|
|
Total
|
|
2650337
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Power
UNION MINISTER OF FINANCE & CORPORATE AFFAIRS INAUGURATES 132/33/11 Kv MOHANPUR SUB-STATION IN TRIPURA
Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the newly constructed 132/33/11 kV Mohanpur Sub-station in Tripura on 27th August, 2021, in presence of Chief Minister of Tripura, Mr. Biplab Kumar Deb, Dy. CM of Tripura, Mr. Jishnu Dev Varma and Minister of Education, Tripura, Mr. Ratan Lal Nath. This Sub-station has been constructed by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited , a Maharatna CPSU under Ministry of Power, Government of India for Tripura under North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project .
NERPSIP is a Central sector plan scheme of the Ministry of Power, Government of India, envisioned to drive economic development of the North Eastern region of the country. The scheme is being implemented through POWERGRID, for six beneficiary North Eastern states namely, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. The main objective of the project is Government of India’s commitment for the total economic development of North Eastern Region and to strengthen the Intra-State Transmission & Distribution Infrastructure in the North East region. Implementation of this scheme, will create a reliable power grid and improve NER States' connectivity to the upcoming load centers, and thus extend the benefits of the grid connected power to all categories of consumers of beneficiaries in North Eastern region.
POWERGRID has presently 172,154 ckm of transmission lines, 262 Sub-stations and more than 446,940 MVA of transformation capacity. With the adoption of latest technological tools and techniques, enhanced use of automation and digital solutions, POWERGRID has been able to maintain average transmission system availability >99%.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
BUDGET SANCTIONED FOR THE NORTH EASTERN REGION
THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES / DEPARTMENTS HAVE SPENT OVER RS. 3,84,561.62 CRORE UNDER 10% GBS SINCE 2014-15 FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA HAS ACCORDED TOP PRIORITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Government of India has accorded top priority for the development of North Eastern Region. In all, 55 non-exempted Central Ministries/Departments are mandated to spend at least 10% of their Gross Budgetary Support  for Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes in North Eastern Region . The Central Government Ministries / Departments have spent over Rs. 3,84,561.62 crore under 10% GBS since 2014-15 for the development of North Eastern Region. The details of the Budget Estimate , Revised Estimate  and Actual Expenditure during the period from 2014-15 to 2022-23 upto 31.12.2022 under 10% GBS for NER is given in the table below.
|
|
Table : Budget Estimate , Revised Estimate  and
Actual Expenditure under 10% GBS since 2014-15

|
|
Year
|
|
Budget Estimate
|
|
Revised
Estimate
|
|
Actual
Expenditure
|
|
Actual Expenditure as % of RE
|
|
2014-15
|
|
36,107.56
|
|
27,359.17
|
|
24,819.18
|
|
90.72
|
|
2015-16
|
|
29,087.93
|
|
29,669.22
|
|
28,673.73
|
|
96.64
|
|
2016-17
|
|
29,124.79
|
|
32,180.08
|
|
29,367.9
|
|
91.26
|
|
2017-18
|
|
43,244.64
|
|
40,971.69
|
|
39,753.44
|
|
97.03
|
|
2018-19
|
|
47,994.88
|
|
47,087.95
|
|
46,054.80
|
|
97.81
|
|
2019-20
|
|
59,369.90
|
|
53,374.19
|
|
48,533.80
|
|
90.93
|
|
2020-21
|
|
60,112.11
|
|
51,270.90
|
|
48,563.82
|
|
94.72
|
|
2021-22
|
|
68,020.24
|
|
68,440.26
|
|
70,874.32
|
|
103.56
|
|
2022-23
|
|
76,040.07
|
|
72,540.28
|
|
47,920.63|
|
66.06|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,84,561.62
|
|
|
|
Source: Statement 11/23 of Union Budget, various years
Note: Actual Expenditure figures are provisional and subject to vetting by Ministry of Finance.up to 31.12.2022, as reported by 55 Non-exempted Ministries/Departments.
This information was given by the Minister of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Lok Sabha, today.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan being implemented in 25 villages in each of the 111 Aspirational Districts from 1st June to 31st July, 2018
Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan undertakes various activities to promote best farming practices and enhance Agricultural income
The Ministry of Agriculture and farmers’ welfare in line with the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of doubling farmers’ income by 2022 has launched the Krishi kalyan Abhiyaan from 1st June, 2018 till 31st July, 2018 so as to aid, assist and advice farmers on how to improve their farming techniques and raise their incomes. The Krishi kalyan Abhiyaan will be undertaken in 25 Villages with more than 1000 population each in Aspirational Districts identified in consultation with Ministry of Rural Development as per directions of NITI Ayog. In districts where number of villages  is less than 25, all villages will be covered.
An Action Plan comprising specifically identified activities under various departments of the ministry namely, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare , Animal Husbandry Dairying & Fisheries  and Department of Agricultural Research & Education  will be implemented to saturate these 25 villages in each district with these activities.
The overall coordination and implementation in the 25 villages of a district is being done by Krishi Vigyan Kendra of that district. 111 officers have also been made in-charge of one district each for overall coordination and field level monitoring. These officers have been selected from subordinate/attached/autonomous organizations/PSUs etc. of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
Various activities to promote best practices and enhance agriculture income are being undertaken under this plan such as:-
- Distribution of Soil Health Cards to all farmers
- 100% coverage of bovine vaccination for Foot and Mouth Disease  in each village
- 100% coverage of Sheep and Goat for eradication of Peste des Petits ruminants 
- Distribution of Mini Kits of pulses and oilseeds to all
- Distribution of Horticulture/Agro Forestry/Bamboo plant @ 5 per family
- Making 100 NADAP Pits in each village
- Artificial insemination saturation
- Demonstration programmes on Micro- irrigation
- Demonstrations of integrated cropping practice
In addition, demonstration programmes on Micro Irrigation and Integrated Cropping Practice will also take place so as to familiarize farmers with the latest techniques and how they can be incorporated at the grass root level.
Training programmes are being conducted in each of the villages by ICAR/KVSs for Bee Keeping, Mushroom cultivation and Kitchen garden. Women participants and farmers will be given preference for the training program.